Tatjana Mandil - YGT for Model Based Systems Engineering
Tell us about your work experience in ESA so far. What does your role entail?
I am a Young Graduate Trainee who started in September. I am working on the Lunar Gateway mission, specifically for the International Habitation Module which ESA are responsible for. At University, I studied Aeronautics & Astronautics at the University of Southampton, UK, specialising in Spacecraft engineering. My work at ESA revolves around Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) – which aims to digitize and streamline the way we do engineering. Rather than document-driven processes, MBSE puts models at the centre of design. This has formed the foundation of my work and has allowed me to branch into other areas like simulations and virtual reality!
What has motived you to study these subjects?
Astronomy fascinated me as a child; I loved learning about stars, planets and the Universe as a whole. While my 8-year-old self was set on becoming an astronomer, during middle school I quickly discovered my passion for project-work and product design. This soon led me to the field of aerospace engineering. I realised that while I loved observing space from a telescope, I also wanted to be a part of the action! My interest in MBSE started during a summer internship: while technology is advancing rapidly, the way we engineering is done is still quite traditional. Putting models at the centre of the design process allows engineers to spend their time ‘engineering’, rather than on paperwork.
What is the most exciting part of your job?
Being a part of the Lunar Gateway team is more than I could have imagined at this stage of my career. This is not only humanity’s return to the Moon, but it paves the way for us to venture further into our Solar System. Learning about the capabilities of today’s engineering and technology, and how far they’ve come, is incredibly exciting. But one of the most exciting parts is the people I’ve been able to meet in this role. The space industry is filled with individuals who are truly driven to reach the unreachable, and it is really rewarding to see my network grow and diversify.
What advice would you give to girls interested in pursuing a career or studies in STEM?
“Diversity of minds equals diversity of ideas” is a mantra I’ll continue to live by. It can be intimidating to think, act or simply ‘be’ different to the majority. But in order for innovation to happen, a wide variety of minds, working together, is needed. The unique way you think is not only valid, but it’s valued.
How do you imagine the future of space exploration?
It won’t be long until a lot of our space travel and research is no longer done from Earth. Our next step is the Moon, which can be the outpost for future Mars missions and other interplanetary endeavours. Manufacturing needed in space is slowly being done in space, meaning we will have more and more established infrastructure away from the Earth’s surface. As communications and life-support systems improve, astronauts will be able to complete longer and more complex missions. Eventually, more and more celestial bodies will be within our reach. But in my eyes, the technological advancement we see in this industry is paving the way for space to be accessible by the many, not just the few.